Big expenses are on the horizon for the regional government and the numbers are daunting.

Metro Vancouver chief administrator Johnny Carline estimated two sewage treatment plant rebuilds stand to cost the region $1.5 billion and other projects – including new facilities to dispose of garbage – could add another $1.5 billion.

He noted the $3 billion that Metro's costs would pile on regional taxpayers are in addition to what TransLink is proposing to expand the transit system.

The expenses are projected to trigger years of steep increases in tax rates, water and sewer bills and waste tipping fees.